FRANCHISE ANALYZER

Founded in 1968 by Terry Loebal, ValPak Direct Marketing Systems distributes mailer packets filled with coupons for area businesses. The company also provides a similar service via a coupon website. ValPak works through more than 150 independent franchises that sell advertising space to local businesses, helping them to gain exposure within their market.

Jack DeBoer, a hotel industry magnate, founded Value Place in 2003. He opened the first location in Wichita, Kansas. The Value Place concept includes providing longer-term lodging with comfortable apartment-style suites and offering amenities like full kitchens and on-site laundry facilities. Today, 175 Value Place extended-stay hotels are open in the U.S.

Vanguard Cleaning Systems was formed and franchised in 1984 with a customer service oriented approach. The company is based in San Mateo, California and provides training for franchisees. There are more than 2,000 Vanguard Cleaning Systems in operation across the United States and Canada today, serving a wide array of professional clients.

Villa Enterprises is collection of successful food service brands that now includes 10 separate restaurant names. There are 300 locations under the Villa company throughout the United States and in six countries. The concept originated from a pizza parlor started in New York back in 1964, and has built its success on customer satisfaction through fresh ingredients and consistent service.

Jeffrey Johnson started Visiting Angels in 1992 in Baltimore, Maryland. He had previously worked in a nursing home as their Director of Social Work and saw firsthand the need for at-home care and service providers for seniors. In 1998, Johnson teamed up with three colleagues and pushed the Visiting Angels company to the next level, organizing a national franchising plan. Today, there are well over than 400 Visiting Angels franchises.

The first VooDoo location was opened up right in New Orleans in 2002. Using a dry-rub, slow-cook technique, VooDoo created a signature taste that perfectly represented the New Orleans flavor. Four years after opening, the VooDoo name franchised and has just begun to spread its wings into the broader market.